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Colorado Springs
707 E Fillmore 80907
719 633 0208
Toll Free 1 800 632 0208
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Pueblo
101 Spring Street 81003
719 542 5631
Toll Free 1 800 540 5631
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Have a plumbing question you need answered?
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Below is a sample question from our Ask A Plumber Service and the response.
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Thermal Expansion
I replaced the temperature and pressure relief valve on my water heater twice but it still leaks about a coffee can full of water a day Why is it still leaking?
There are a couple of reasons this may be happening. The most likely reason is thermal expansion of the heated water on a closed water system. The remedy would be to install a thermal expansion tank or a thermal expansion release valve. When water is heated it expands, water can not be compressed therefore this expansion must be compensated for or the pressure will build up to the setting of the T&P valve and the valve will leak to release the pressure. A thermal expansion tank is a small tank with an air charge separated from the water by a diaphragm in the tank. Air can be compressed. So the air captured in the thermal expansion tank will compress to compensate for the water expansion during heating to eliminate the problem and eliminate any wasted water. A thermal expansion relief valve is a valve set at a release pressure less than that of the T&P valve so when the expansion takes place the valve will release the pressure into a drain to prevent the T&P valve from leaking. The thermal expansion valve must be plumbed to a drain with an air gap connection to dispose of the released water. We can give you instructions on how to install either type of these devices, call us on our toll free number.
Another cause may be that the static water pressure is too high. Any water pressure higher than 80PSI requires a pressure reducing valve by plumbing code. If the static pressure is over 80PSI a pressure reducing valve needs to be installed or an existing pressure reducing valve needs to be repaired or replaced.
Other than these examples, the valve releases at the set pressure or temperature (usually 150PSI or 220 Degrees Fahrenheit) if the water heater malfunctions and overheats. Normally if this is the cause of the release it would be much larger amounts than the coffee can full of water.
If we can be of any other help contact us.
ABC Plumbing
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